Letters From Home

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Feast of Sts. Philip and James by Dr. John Bergsma.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Memorial of St. Athanasius by Dr. Shane Owens.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter by Dr. Scott Hahn.

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Acts 2:14, 36–41
Psalm 23:1–6
1 Peter 2:20–25
John 10:1–10

Easter’s empty tomb is a call to conversion.

By this tomb, we should know for certain that God has made Jesus both Lord and Messiah, as Peter preaches in today’s First Reading.

He is the “Lord,” the divine Son that David foresaw at God’s right hand (see Psalms 110:1, 3; 132:10–11; Acts 2:34). And He is the Messiah that God had promised to shepherd the scattered flock of the house of Israel (see Ezekiel 34:11–14, 23; 37:24).

As we hear in today’s Gospel, Jesus is that Good Shepherd, sent to a people who were like sheep without a shepherd (see Mark 6:34; Numbers 27:16–17). He calls not only to the children of Israel but to all those far off from Him—to whomever the Lord wishes to hear His voice.

The call of the Good Shepherd leads to the restful waters of Baptism, to the anointing oil of Confirmation, and to the table and overflowing cup of the Eucharist, as we sing in today’s Psalm.

Again on this Sunday in Easter, we hear His voice calling us His own. He should awaken in us the response of those who heard Peter’s preaching. “What are we to do?” they cried.

We have been baptized. But each of us goes astray like sheep, as we hear in today’s Epistle. We still need daily to repent, to seek forgiveness of our sins, to separate ourselves further from this corrupt generation.

We are called to follow in the footsteps of the Shepherd of our souls. By His suffering He bore our sins in His body to free us from sin. But His suffering is also an example for us. From Him we should learn patience in our afflictions, to hand ourselves over to the will of God.

Jesus has gone ahead, has driven us through the dark valley of evil and death. His Cross has become the narrow gate through which we must pass to reach His empty tomb—the verdant pastures of life abundant.

Lecturas:
Hechos 2,14.36–41
Salmo 23,1–6
1 Pedro 2,20–25
Juan 10,1–10

La tumba vacía de la pascua es una llamada a la conversión.

Por esa tumba tenemos la certeza de que verdaderamente Dios ha hecho a Jesús Señor y Mesías, como Pedro predica en la primera lectura de hoy.

El es el “Señor”, el hijo divino que David había contemplado a la derecha del Padre (cf. Sal 110,1.3; 132,10.11; Hch 2,34). Y es el Mesías que Dios había prometido para pastorear el rebaño disperso de la casa de Israel (cf. Ez 34,11–14.23; 37,24).

Como escuchamos en el Evangelio de hoy, Jesús es ese Buen Pastor enviado a quienes eran como ovejas sin pastor (cf. Mc 6,34; Nm 27,16–17). No sólo llama a los hijos de Israel, sino a todos aquellos que se encuentran lejos de Él, a quienes el Señor quiere que escuchen su voz.

La llamada del Buen Pastor conduce a las aguas tranquilas del Bautismo, a la unción de aceite de la Confirmación, y a la mesa y a la rebosante copa de la Eucaristía, como cantamos en el salmo de hoy.

En este domingo de pascua, nuevamente escuchamos la voz de Dios llamándonos “suyos”. Él debería despertar en nosotros la respuesta de quienes escucharon la predicación de Pedro: “¿Qué debemos hacer?”, gritaron.

Hemos sido bautizados. Pero cada uno de nosotros está descarriado como las ovejas de que escuchamos en la epístola de hoy. Cada día necesitamos aún arrepentirnos, buscar el perdón de nuestros pecados, apartarnos de esta generación corrupta.

Estamos llamados a seguir los pasos del Pastor de nuestras almas. Él, por su pasión, llevó nuestros pecados en su cuerpo para liberarnos del pecado. Pero su sufrimiento también es un ejemplo para nosotros. Debemos aprender de él a ser pacientes en nuestras aflicciones, y aceptar la voluntad de Dios.

Jesús ha ido por delante, conduciéndonos por el valle oscuro de la muerte y del pecado. Su cruz ha venido a ser la puerta angosta a través de la cual debemos pasar para alcanzar la tumba vacía: los verdes pastos de la vida en abundancia.

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Memorial of St. Catherine of Siena by Mr. Clement Harrold.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Friday of the Third Week of Easter by Dr. John Bergsma.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Thursday of the Third Week of Easter by Ms. Joan Watson.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter by Dr. John Bergsma.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Feast of St. Mark by Dr. Shane Owens.

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